Bexar
Democrats oust chairman
San Antonio Express-News, May 4, 2011
Bexar County Democratic Party leaders voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to
remove ailing and embattled Chairman Dan Ramos for misconduct and neglect
of duty. The 104-5 vote by the party's executive committee came despite
a desperate attempt by Ramos to call off the meeting.

Bexar
County Democrats try to move past Ramos
San Antonio Current, May 5, 2011
In an unprecedented move, the Bexar County Democratic Party voted overwhelmingly
Tuesday to kick Dan Ramos from his short-lived post as chair. Amid cheering,
many insisted the 104-5 vote to oust the embattled Ramos, just one year
after his swearing in, marks the first step in moving the party past its
recent rocky history.

A panel of seven precinct chairs made up the trial
committee. Mark Camann and D'mitri Kosub acted as trial hearing managers.
(Photos: QSanAntonio.com)

Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Ramos was found guilty of misconduct
and neglect of duty by a seven-member trial committee of the Bexar County
Democratic Party. The committee’s verdict was unanimous as was their
recommendation that Ramos be removed as County Chair.

The County Executive Committee of the Bexar County Democratic Party will
meet on May 3 to act on the trial committee’s recommendations and
vote on whether Ramos should be removed.

The trial proceedings were conducted under Chapter 20 of Robert’s
Rules of Order. The CEC approved this process by a vote of 72-1-1 at their
meeting on April 5 and elected seven of their precinct chairs to serve
on the trial committee. The trial committee was composed of four men and
three women, four of which were Hispanic, two African-American and one
Anglo.

Neither state law nor party rules provide a clear path for the removal
of a County Chair unless the Chair is caught supporting a candidate of
the opposing party during an election cycle. Both State Democratic Party
rules and the rules of the Bexar County Democratic Party recognize Robert’s
Rules of Order as parliamentary authority when the party rules are silent
on a matter.

In center photo, empty chair where
Dan Ramos would have sat had he chosen to come to his trial. (Photos by
Antonia Padilla)

Although Ramos was given notice of the trial, he did not personally appear
nor did any representative appear on his behalf.

The presentation of evidence against Ramos lasted three hours and included
live witnesses, documents and audio and video recordings. The evidence
was presented by local precinct chairs, Mark Camann and D'mitri Kosub,
who acted as Trial Hearing Managers.

If Ramos is removed from office by the CEC on May 3, another meeting will
be held within 20 days to elect an interim County Chair to complete the
remainder of Ramos’ term, which expires at the beginning of May,
2012.

Ramos
ouster recommended
San Antonio Express-News, April 17, 2011
A special committee of local Democrats voted unanimously Saturday to recommend
removal of Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Ramos for misconduct.
His transgressions have included rules violations and inflammatory statements
about fellow party members, the committee concluded.

Dan Ramos speaks at meeting on April 5 at Luby's on
Fredericksberg while, in another part of town, Precinct Chairs met at
Luby's on Main to draft resolution to oust him.

At its Spring meeting in Austin on Saturday, April 9, the State Democratic
Executive Committee of the Texas Democratic Party voted unanimously to
censure Dan Ramos and to call for him to resign as Bexar County Democratic
Party Chair.

The resolution was prompted by bigoted remarks against LGBT people, African-Americans
and other groups that Ramos made in an interview with the San Antonio
Current on March 11.

Despite a growing call for his resignation, Ramos has defiantly refused
to apologize for his remarks and to step down from office.

The 110-member SDEC is the governing body of the State Democratic Party
and consists of state party officers, representatives from each of the
state’s 31 senate districts, statewide Democratic organizations
and Texas members of the Democratic National Committee.

Many of the SDEC members wore rainbow triangles depicting a wood-eating
termite in solidarity with the Stonewall Democrats, which Ramos called
“white termites who have infiltrated the party much like termites
infiltrate your house”.

After the resolution was adopted, SDEC members and guests leapt to their
feet with sustained applause and cheers of approval.

Dan
Ramos' reaction to trial committee
FoxSanAntonio.com, April 10, 2011
Bexar County Democratic Chair Dan Ramos is speaking out again. This time-
he's taking aim at those who decided to form a trial committee-- one which
could lead to his removal from office.

Democratic
Party chair defends his words
FoxSanAntonio.com, April 10, 2011
In video released this weekend, the chair of the Bexar County Democratic
Party is defending his words. Dan Ramos called a news conference on March
17 to set the record straight on controversial comments he made in an
interview. Here's his explanation.

GLBT protestors on April 5 outside Luby's Cafeteria
on Fredericksberg where Bexar County Democratic Chairman Dan Ramos was
holding a meeting. (Photo by Olga Hernandez)

Ramos controversy:
Do all Democrats support gay rights?
Commentary by Justin Nichols, QSanAntonio.com, April 9, 2011
Much has been said about the chairman of the Bexar County Democratic Party,
Dan Ramos. But as things develop, we shouldn’t just write Ramos
off as one county chairman gone crazy. Lessons can be learned here about
politics, race, and the fight for equality.

Gay activists confront
Dan Ramos face to face
QSanAntonio.com, April 7, 2011
A meeting convened on April 5 by Bexar County Democratic Chair Dan Ramos
ended with three GLBT activists confronting him face to face. The activists,
from the Direct Action Network of San Antonio, asked Ramos to explain
his remarks when he called gays termites and Nazis then concluded by asking
him to resign.

Chair
Dan Ramos holds gathering as Bexar Dems move to boot him
San Antonio Current, April 6, 2011
As members of the Bexar County Democratic Party voted Tuesday night to
put their embattled chair on trial, Dan Ramos and a small group of his
supporters hunkered down for their own parallel meeting across town. “I’m
still here and I’m not going anywhere,” Ramos declared while
continuing to blame the party’s discord on anti-Hispanic racism,
and not his own toxic and anti-gay remarks last month.

Bexar
Democrats' dueling continues
San Antonio Express-News, April 6, 2011
Battling for control of the troubled Bexar County Democratic Party, a
large group of activists voted Tuesday to put Chairman Dan Ramos on trial
for rules violations while a small gathering of his supporters backed
Ramos' plan to sue the first group as illegitimate.

Democratic
Party Flap
FoxSanAntonio.com, April 6, 2011
Christina Coleman reports from Luby's on Fredericksberg on the latest
round of meetings and protests against Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman
Dan Ramos.

A RESOLUTION TO Form a Trial Committee and Conduct a
Hearing to Consider the Removal of Bexar County Democratic Party Chair
Dan Ramos for Misconduct and Neglect of Duty in Office (April 5, 2011)

Whereas, The Rules Committee of the Bexar County Democratic
Party County Executive Committee has reviewed and found credible the following
allegations against Mr. Dan Ramos:

On or about March 11, 2011, Mr. Ramos made statements to the San Antonio
Current that are contrary to the Beliefs and Declarations of the Texas
Democratic Party;

Mr. Ramos made public comments detrimental to the Democratic Party and
derogatory to Elected Democratic Officials;

Mr. Ramos failed to acknowledge the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party
and the Continuing Rules of the Bexar County Democratic Party (hereinafter
BCDP) as valid;

Mr. Ramos failed to hold or attend BCDP Steering Committee Meetings, as
mandated by the Continuing Rules of the BCDP County Executive Committee
(hereinafter BCDP CEC);

Mr. Ramos attempted to conduct both party and statutory business without
the consent of the BCDP CEC at meetings where quorums were present;

Mr. Ramos improperly and unilaterally rescheduled and canceled meetings
of the BCDP CEC;

Mr. Ramos failed to follow directives approved by the BCDP CEC;

Mr. Ramos failed to communicate with and provide records to the BCDP Secretary,
as required by the BCDP’s Continuing Rules, and failed to respond
to calls and mailings; and

Whereas, The Rules Committee of the Bexar County Democratic Party County
Executive Committee (CEC) has preferred charges of “MISCONDUCT”
and “MISCONDUCT and NEGLECT of DUTY in OFFICE” against Mr.
Ramos; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That, in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly
Revised, 10th Edition, (hereinafter RONR) Chapter 20, page 643, lines
6 to 14, Mr. Ramos be, and hereby is, cited by the BCDP CEC to appear
for trial at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 16th in the year 2011 at Metropolitan
Community Church, 611 E Myrtle St., San Antonio, TX 78212, to show cause
why he should not be removed from the position of Chair of the BCDP.

Resolved, That Messrs. Mark Camann and D’mitri Kosub, who are appointed
by the Rules Committee of the BCDP, act as managers of the hearing (trial),
as defined in Chapter 20 of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Resolved, That the BCDP CEC shall elect from among them seven (7) Precinct
Chairs as a Trial Committee to consider the evidence as presented in documents,
audio and video recordings, and oral testimony as to the facts bearing
on this matter, and that five (5) additional Precinct Chairs shall be
elected as alternates to serve on the Trial Committee in the event one
or more of the seven (7) principal members is unable to serve.

Resolved, That the Trial Committee shall elect a chairperson from among
themselves to maintain order, recognize and allow witness testimony, and
manage the questioning of the witnesses before the trial committee by
the defense and the trial managers; and

Resolved, That the trial committee shall present their findings and recommendations
to the CEC at a special meeting of the CEC to be held on Tuesday, April
19, 2011, at Metropolitan Community Church, 611 E. Myrtle Street, San
Antonio, Texas 78212. The Deputy Chairs will elect one from among them
to serve as Acting Chair for this meeting. For each charge the trial committee
finds the accused guilty, they shall present a resolution to the CEC covering
the penalty it recommends that the CEC impose. Such penalty may include
up to and including the removal from office of the accused. Any resolutions
presented by the trial committee shall be reviewed by the CEC in accordance
with RONR, Chapter 20, page 640, line 26 through page 641, line 14, but
in open session. Should the CEC resolve to remove the accused from the
office of Chair of the BCDP, the office of Chair of the BCDP shall be
declared vacant.

Adopted by the Bexar County Democratic Party County Executive Committee
this 5th day of April in the year 2011.

Attest:
Ian Straus, Acting Chair
Nancy T. Froment, Secretary

LIST OF THOSE CALLING FOR DAN RAMOS’
RESIGNATION
AS BEXAR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN

County Democratic Parties
Bexar County Democratic Party Leadership
Dallas County Democratic Party
Harris County Democratic Party
Hidalgo County Democratic Party
Travis County Democratic Party
Wichita County Democratic Party

Bexar County Democratic Chairman Dan Ramos reiterated that he believed
that gays were like "white termites who have infiltrated the party
much like termites infiltrate your house," and were co-conspirators
with direct involvement in the theft of over $200,000 from party coffers.

At a press conference which was held this morning at the party's unofficial
headquarters on Westfield Drive, Ramos said he was not going to apologize
or resign. "I regret that people's feelings were hurt by twisted
information," he said referring to the three articles that appeared
in the San Antonio Current this week.

"I've always tried to be politically correct, however the gays, through
the Stonewall Democrats, have taken over the party. Hell, my opponent
in the election, Choco Meza, she's a lesbian," Ramos said. (Meza
is not a lesbian.)

Ramos also referred to State Democratic Chairman Boyd Richie as a "racist
bastard" and an "idiot" who's been too busy to help the
local party. "Gay people have been advising Richie," he said,
"and he slipped when he asked me to resign."

Ramos says he did not know that he was being recorded when San Antonio
Current editor Greg Harman called him on March 12 to ask his reaction
to a bill being introduced in the Texas Legislature by San Antonio State
Representative Trey Martinez Fischer that would allow county chairs to
be removed by their state parties based on "incompetency or official
misconduct."

"This was not a face-to-face interview, it was on the phone,"
Ramos said of the Current interview, "How do we even know it's my
voice?" He called Harman a "lying son of a bitch."

Ramos said that all the controversy caused by his comments are merely
a smokescreen to distract voters from the real issue which is the embezzlement
of funds by former treasurer Dwayne Adams who goes on trial today.

"There's enough evidence for 15 indictments," said Ramos, "It
will all come out in the trial."

Stonewall
Dems hear plan for Ramos' removal, get praise from Quintanilla
QSanAntonio.com, March 24, 2011
At the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio meeting on March 21, D’mitri
Kosub, who serves on the Rules Committee of the Bexar County Democratic
Party, explained that although state election law and state party rules
do not provide a clear path for removing Ramos from office, there are
provisions in "Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised"
for doing so.

Voices
added to call for Ramos to resign
San Antonio Express-News, March 25, 2011
Twenty top leaders of the Bexar County Democratic Party are demanding
the resignation of Chairman Dan Ramos because of his controversial comments
about fellow partisans. An open letter to Ramos posted on the party's
website is signed by Ramos' four deputy chairs, the party secretary, a
Democratic National Committee member, four State Democratic Executive
Committee members and numerous committee and precinct chairs.

Mayor
urges Democratic Party boss to resign
San Antonio Express-News, March 22, 2011
Mayor Julián Castro joined the chorus of officials Monday urging
Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Ramos to resign because of
Ramos' bitter attacks on fellow Democrats.

Gay
Dems slam Ramos
WOAI Radio, March 22, 2011
The Stonewall Democrats say they're looking at rules of procedure to oust
Bexar County Democratic Chair Dan Ramos. Co-chair of the group Elena Guajardo
says Ramos's insults were flung at everyone and everyone should be offended.

In
his own words: Dan Ramos on Stonewall, homosexuality
By Greg Harman, San Antonio Current, March 21, 2011
Last week, Ramos suggested at a press conference that his language had
been manipulated, according to QSanAntonio.com, that perhaps it wasn’t
even his voice on the recording. With that in mind, I thought it best
to release the portion of the interview in question.

KTSA
speaks to Dan Ramos
KTSA.com, March 21, 2011
Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Dan Ramos is speaking out against
statements he allegedly made on March 11th in a blog on the website of
The San Antonio Current, a weekly news and opinion publication.

Bexar
Democrats' leader likens foes to insects
San Antonio Express-News, March 18, 2011
Calling his detractors worms, jerks, morons, idiots and liars, Bexar County
Democratic Chairman Dan Ramos said Thursday that he'd resign “when
hell freezes over” despite demands he quit immediately due to his
harsh words about fellow Democrats. Denying allegations that he has disparaged
gay party members and others, Ramos cast himself as an old friend of minorities.

Ramos
defiant, won't step down
ksat.com, March 18, 2011
The Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman responds to controversial statements
he made in a newspaper article.

Demands
grow for resignation of Bexar County Democratic Chair
KSAT.com, March 17, 2011
A spokeswoman for the Bexar County Democratic Party said its chairman,
Dan Ramos, will be holding a news conference on Thursday morning after
his published statements in the San Antonio Current and increasing demands
for resignation.

Ramos
should resign Democratic party post
Editorial Board, San Antonio Express-News, March 17, 2011
For the good of the party he claims to serve, Bexar County Democratic
Party Chairman Dan Ramos should resign his position. His disturbing comments
reported last week in a San Antonio Current blog do immense damage to
the Democratic Party and all political discourse. Those comments and his
failure to retract them demonstrate his unsuitability to hold any position
of leadership.

Bexar
County Democratic Party Chair Dan Ramos: Defiant and Irresponsible
Burnt Orange Report, March 17, 2011
So is there an end in sight to this mess? Maybe if you consider Ramos'
latest meltdown after an interview with the San Antonio Current but with
Ramos continuing a defiant hold on office, much like Col. Gaddafi of Libya,
we could be in for a long summer.

The
walls close in on Ramos
By Gilbert Garcia, PlazaDeArmas.com, March 17, 2011
A state representative has filed a bill expressly geared to oust him.
The chairman of the Texas Democratic Party has called for his immediate
resignation. The Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and Bexar County Young
Democrats are up in arms. Two local Democratic splinter groups have formed
in the last year. And still Dan Ramos won’t budge.

This is a photo of Dan Ramos at the Stonewall Democrats
meeting on Jan. 31, 2010 asking for the group's endorsement when he ran
for Party Chair. In a S.A. Current article on March 11, he likens the
Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio to Nazis. (Photo: Antonia Padilla /
QSanAntnonio.com)

Bexar Democratic Party Chair has
insults for gays, whites and blacks
QSanAntonio.com, March 12, 2011

In a March 11 interview with the San Antonio Current, Bexar County Democratic
party chair Dan Ramos had some choice words about the Stonewall Democrats
of San Antonio. “I liken them to the Tea Party — the Tea Party
and the fucking Nazi Party — because they’re 90 percent white,
blue-eyed, and Anglo, and I don’t give a fuck who knows that. Just
like the blacks … they’re American, but you can’t get
your way just because you’re black.”

In the interview, Ramos blames gays for "both undermining his authority
and for the poor election results in Bexar County in 2010."

“They are all connected to the gay Democratic Party, the so-called
Stonewall Democrats. Just like termites they managed to get some of their
people in key positions,” Ramos told
the Current.

On the morning after the article appeared online, Eduardo Juarez co-chair
of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio issued the following statement
to the group's board of directors:

"Mr. Ramos' alleged comments blaming and condemning LGBT Democrats
are so plainly ludicrous and divisive, they do not even merit a response.
We Democrats are too busy right now working on real and important tasks
at hand, including the task of uniting our party."

Later in the day, Texas State Democratic party chairman
Boyd Richie issued a press release saying that Ramos should resign from
office. "From virtually the first day he took office, Dan Ramos has
kept the Bexar County Democratic Party in a constant state of turmoil,"
said Richie. (See complete press release below.)

Gay slurs a surprise

Oddly enough, Ramos sought the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats
at a candidate forum in January of 2010 when he ran for party chair. At
the time he said "I do not condone discrimination." His turnabout
caught most local Democrats by surprise.

Dan Graney, president of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus, said that
"such remarks by a party official are totally unbecoming to the office
to which he was elected." Graney added that he was taking the matter
up with State party officials. (See Graney's full statement below.)

A divisive presence

Ramos stunned Democratic honchos when in 2010 he proved victorious against
Choco Meza, a longtime party insider and aide to former Mayor Henry Cisneros.
With the vigorous endorsement and promise of monetary support from party
leaders, Meza ran on a promise to get the party out of debt after the
group's former treasurer embezzled over $200,000.

Ramos is a grassroots organizer who, from the beginning, has expressed
little interest in taking advice from party stalwarts. He is the leader
of a coalition of South Side party organizers and precinct chairs called
the Barrio Boys.

After Ramos was elected, party leaders expressed concern about putting
money into party coffers given the new chair’s promise to clean
house, to make changes autonomously and without the counsel of party elders.
Meanwhile, the $200,000 that was embezzled by the former treasure, money
that is owed to the County, remains a debt unpaid.

In a March 3, 2010 interview with the San Antonio Express-News, County
Judge Nelson Wolfe said, “I get the feeling that no one is going
to be writing checks until there is a damned good sense of where (the
incoming chairman) wants to take the party. I know I won't be writing
any.”

In the same article, Ramos tells the Express-News, “Henry (Cisneros),
Nelson Wolff, Leticia (Van de Putte) — all those power players were
presuming Choco would take over,” he said. “Well, I got news
for them: Instead of grandstanding, maybe they should do what they said
— come up with the money like they said they would.”

Ramos has remained a consistently divisive presence since
he took office. He has tried to oust party officials without a quorum
and install his own crew but precinct chairs have prevented him from doing
so. It's gotten so bad that Ramos does not even come to meetings one precinct
chair told QSanAntonio.

The problem for Bexar County Democrats is that there no easy way to get
rid of Ramos. In the last election they worked around him by forming a
mirror organization, the Bexar County United Democrats, leaving Ramos
completely out of the loop.

Most recently, San Antonio State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer
filed a bill in the Texas Legislature that would allow county chairs to
be removed by their state parties based on "incompetency or official
misconduct." The bill is an undisguised attempt to pry Ramos from
the local party leadership.

A
Bigot in Bexar
By Bob Moser, Texas Observer, March 15, 2011
Talk about covering the bases! In the span of two sentences, Dan Ramos
managed to insult not only gay Democrats, but Tea Partiers, Anglos, blue-eyed
people and African Americans to boot. Even the creators of South Park
would be hard-pressed to top that.

Democratic
leader ignores resignation demand
San Antonio Express-News, March 14, 2011
The head of the Texas Democratic Party is demanding the resignation of
Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Ramos, accusing him of bigotry
and creating chaos since his election a year ago. Boyd Richie issued his
statement Saturday, the day after a news blog posted comments by Ramos
that disparaged gay and black Democrats. Ramos showed no sign Monday of
relinquishing his post as he continued to chide his detractors.

Texas
Democratic Party chair calls for Dan Ramos to resign
San Antonio Current, March 12, 2011
We suspected Bexar County Democratic Chair Dan Ramos’ comments wouldn’t
go down easy with Democrats in Bexar County or across the state. We were
right. Earlier tonight the chair of the state Democratic Party called
on Ramos to resign, saying the “bigoted attitudes he expressed are
totally contrary to the beliefs and declarations of the Texas Democratic
Party.” (See complete press release below.)

Democratic
Party chairman in San Antonio calls gays ‘termites,’ likens
Stonewall to Nazi Party
Dallas Voice, March 12, 2011
It isn’t overly surprising to hear that a county party chairperson
in Texas called gays “termites” and likened the Stonewall
Democrats to Nazis. But it is a little surprising that it came from a
county chairperson in the Democratic Party. Dan Ramos, the embattled chairman
of the Bexar County Democratic Party, made the statements Friday in an
interview with the San Antonio Current.

Bexar
County Dem Chair Dan Ramos likens Stonewall Democrats to Nazi Party
San Antonio Current, March 11, 2011
As Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed prepares to haul the former
treasurer of the Bexar County Democrats into court for a second trial
setting on Tuesday on charges of embezzling more than $200,000 from the
party’s bank accounts, embattled party Chair Dan Ramos has other
things on his mind: specifically the homosexual “termites”
that have wormed their way into power to unseat him.

Bill
would allow Bexar party leader's ouster
March 11, 2011, San Antonio Express-News
Without mentioning him or his party, legislation that would allow the
ouster of embattled Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Ramos has
been filed in Austin. The measure submitted by Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer,
D-San Antonio, would enable the state executive committee of any political
party to remove a county chairman for incompetence or official misconduct.

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF SAN ANTONIO
PRESS RELEASE
March 18, 2011

It is a shame and painfully unfair that the Stonewall Democrats
of San Antonio are forced to respond to the continued discriminatory ravings
and completely baseless accusations of Dan Ramos, the Chair of the Bexar
County Democratic Party. Mr. Ramos unapologetically bellows bald and bigoted
charges, singling out Stonewall Democrats as “termites” and
as the “Nazi Party.” But he fails to provide even the most
rudimentary factual support for any of his purported allegations of misconduct,
because his accusations are simply false.

This is a crucial time for Texans: the Republican controlled Texas legislature
is busy passing the most anti-Latino and anti-employer immigration legislation
in our era; restricting voters rights through onerous voter-id requirements
and biased redistricting; raising medically unsound obstacles to the long-held
reproductive freedoms of women; and cutting billions of dollars to public
education, further weakening the Texas economy. And yet, in the face of
these pressing challenges for Democrats, Mr. Ramos has chosen to worry
about whether his “fishing buddy” is gay. He has, moreover,
apparently decided to hurl inflammatory bigoted remarks (such as referring
to gays as a “sinister movement” and comparing homosexuals
to “children stricken with polio”) to deflect attention from
his own utter incompetence and misconduct as party chair.

The good thing, if we can find a silver lining in these turbulent times
for Bexar County Democrats, is that Mr. Ramos is a dinosaur at the brink
of extinction. He is irrelevant to our times, will be removed as party
chair, and will never again be elected to public office in this county
or state---not because of his age or ailments, but because of his archaic
and decrepit discriminatory views that are contrary to the definitive
trend of justice in the entire Western Hemisphere. True leaders do not
succumb to irrelevancy even after their physical death. Even as early
as the 1970s, the iconic Mexican-American civil rights lion, Cesar Chavez,
strongly and vocally supported lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
civil rights.

Following this icon’s visionary leadership is a swell of voices
that will continue to increase, from all corners, condemning Mr. Ramos’
bigoted remarks and calling for his resignation. Indeed, the Stonewall
Democrats of San Antonio hope and demand that all fair-minded Bexar County
Democrats, including our elected officials, party leaders, and voters
strongly voice their opposition to Mr. Ramos’ views, demand his
immediate resignation, and support his ouster.

State Senator Van de Putte Calls
On Bexar Dem Chairman To Resign
March 18, 2011

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I thank you for your service to the Bexar County Democratic Party. However,
because of our serious concerns due to recent public comments made by
you, it has become clear that now is the time for you to resign your office.

Doing so will enable you to turn your full attentions to your precarious
health situation, and enable the Bexar County Democratic Party to move
forward in unity, fully-focused on our objective of energizing a growing
Democratic base, and electing Democratic nominees.
I do not make this request lightly - Bexar County Democrats voted for
you as County Chairman, and I deeply respect those voters.

I am equally convinced, however, that when Bexar County Democrats selected
you to chair the Party, they were unaware that you would subsequently
make the public outbursts you have recently made, and they could not have
known the divisiveness your positions would cause. Additionally, voters
could not have been aware that you would be a chairman who opts against
an open Party process, and who fails to call County Executive Committee
meetings in accordance with the rules of the Texas Democratic Party. Indeed,
behavior such as yours has even prompted the proposed H.B. 2752.

Inclusiveness, and respect for diversity, are Democratic values which
we should all take very seriously. For a County Democratic Chairman to
turn his back on these principles is an embarrassment, an insult to valued
members of the larger Democratic coalition, and a distraction which only
serves to move us backward, not ahead. Comments such as yours have only
served to anger and insult many activists and voters, making the chief
duty of any county Party Chairman - growing the Party - an impossibility
for you to achieve as long as you remain the Chair.

Make no mistake - the divisiveness you have caused is no simple family
squabble, which we Democrats often have, and even at times relish. Rather,
your behavior has caused irreparable harm, from which it is already too
late for any future attempt at atonement on your part to repair.

For these reasons, and with great regret, I respectfully but firmly ask
for your immediate resignation as Bexar County Democratic Chairman.

Sincerely,
State Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Travis County Democratic Party support
Chairman Richie's call for Ramos to resign
March 17, 2011

The Democratic Party proudly supports inclusiveness and equality for all.
We do not tolerate hate, bigotry or prejudice in language or actions.

We, the Travis County Democratic Party, State Democratic Executive Committee
members, Texas Democratic Party and Democratic National Committee leadership
listed below, wholeheartedly support Texas Democratic Party Boyd Richie’s
call for Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Dan Ramos to resign. We are
offended and outraged by the remarks made by Ramos in last week’s
San Antonio Current as well as the remarks he made in his press conference
held today. Under no circumstances do we support such hateful and outrageous
opinions.

As leaders and members of the Bexar County Democratic Party County Executive
Committee (CEC) and other Democratic leaders in Bexar County, we join
State Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie in calling upon Dan Ramos
to resign as Chairman of the Bexar County Democratic Party.

His hateful, bigoted comments have no place in the Democratic Party. We
are a party of inclusiveness that supports and promotes equality, diversity
and tolerance. The comments of Mr. Ramos are not reflective of our party’s
philosophy and we condemn and disavow the comments and opinions he expressed.

Mr. Ramos has proven he does not support nor represent our party’s
ideas and, therefore, we call upon him to resign immediately. Bexar County
Democrats deserve someone who can provide more unifying leadership as
County Chair.

Today, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie called for Bexar County
Democratic Party Chair Dan Ramos to tender his resignation. Richie took
the extraordinary action in an immediate response to statements made by
Ramos in an article posted Friday by the San Antonio Current. Richie issued
the following statement:

“From virtually the first day he took office, Dan Ramos has kept
the Bexar County Democratic Party in a constant state of turmoil. He has
consistently refused to follow the Bexar County Democratic Party Rules
and the Texas Democratic Party Rules, failed to call or attend meetings
required by the local Rules, failed to recognize properly established
local committees and officers, refused to elect Precinct Chairs in the
manner required by the Rules and the Texas Election Code, and failed to
assist Democratic candidates seeking office.

“I will not dignify Mr. Ramos’ most recent outburst by restating
it, but I will make it clear that the bigoted attitudes he expressed are
totally contrary to the Beliefs and Declarations of the Texas Democratic
Party. I am shocked and outraged that an individual who claims to be an
officer of the Democratic Party would hold such positions and I’m
appalled that he would make such absurd statements.

“For many months, Democratic Party officials and activists have
petitioned the State Party to intercede in the Bexar County situation.
Until recently I resisted those requests because I believed that the best
remedy would be one crafted and agreed to by Democrats inside Bexar County.
Just yesterday I sent a letter to Mr. Ramos and other concerned individuals
inviting them to a sit-down to discuss the problem. I no longer believe
that such a meeting would be useful or have any purpose. What is necessary
is for Dan Ramos to immediately resign and allow the Bexar County Democratic
Party to move forward with new, more unifying leadership.”

An Open Letter to Bexar County Democratic
Party Chairman Dan Ramos
March 12, 2011

Dear Chairman Ramos:

As President of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus, I am writing this
open letter in response to remarks you made that were posted on the blog
of the San Antonio Current this past Friday, March 11. Since I also happen
to live in Bexar County and am an elected Democratic Precinct Chair, I
am personally motivated to respond.

I was appalled and saddened by your remarks in which you compare LGBT
Democrats and Stonewall Democrats, in particular, to “termites”
and the “Nazi Party”. You also falsely assume that the Stonewall
Democrats is made up of almost exclusively Anglo members (“Nazis”
in your words). If you would have bothered to learn more about our organization,
you would have learned that Latinos occupy leadership positions in six
of our biggest chapters in the state ( Dallas , Denton County , Houston
, Rio Grande Valley , San Antonio and Tarrant County ).

Additionally, you attacked the African-American Community by implying
that our African American brothers and sisters assume privileged status
just because they are "black." Our history has shown that minorities
of every color have fought hard to achieve equality in this society through
protests, court battles and executive orders. To diminish that struggle
by using a bad metaphor is disgusting.

These hateful remarks, laced with profanity, are unbecoming the honorable
office to which you were elected.

As County Chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party, you are responsible
for adhering to the 2010 Texas Democratic Party Platform, which includes
"We believe in and support the repeal of discriminatory laws and
policies against members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
community."

Members of Stonewall Democrats across Texas strongly condemn the hateful
language you used towards LGBT, African-American and Anglo Texans in the
interview with the San Antonio Current. Our members, who come from every
race and ethnicity believe in tolerance, acceptance and civility in our
quest for equality in this nation. Your words do not reflect the true
soul of the Texas Democratic Party and your words grossly misrepresent
the mission and purpose of the Stonewall Democrats. You have embarrassed
our elected officials, Democrats across Texas and, most acutely, the Bexar
County Democratic Party.

I call on you to apologize for the offensive remarks you have made. If
you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask you to do the
honorable thing and step down as County Chair of the Bexar County Democratic
Party.

Former County Chair Gabe Quintanilla
calls for Ramos' resignation
March 13, 2011

Dan Ramos is obviously unfit for the office of County Chair. His comments
are disgraceful, untrue, and un-American.

As a former County Chair, I have been fairly quiet on most matters pertaining
to the local Democratic Party, but I cannot be silent any longer and also
join with our State Party Chair in calling for Ramos' immediate resignation.
His racist, confrontational rhetoric cannot be tolerated by any Democrat,
and his attack on the gay/lesbian community is unprecedented and intolerable.

I urge all former County Chairs to condemn Ramos' actions and join the
State Party Chair and me in calling for his immediate resignation.

As you may have already heard, a San Antonio Current blog reported on
March 11, 2011, that Bexar County Democratic Chair, Dan Ramos, made false,
inflammatory, and derogatory remarks about our organization.

Mr. Ramos' remarks constitute atrocious falsehoods and baseless attacks
on all Democrats, particularly LGBT Democrats. But, his divisive comments
will fail: Bexar County and Texas Democrats, of all stripes, have already
quickly and widely condemned his remarks, and we are united in our work
to tackle the real and important issues we face. Indeed, Texas Democratic
Party Chair, Boyd Richie, has already called for Mr. Ramos "to immediately
resign and to allow the Bexar County Democratic Party to move forward
with new, more unifying leadership."

We Democrats know that it is Mr. Ramos' discriminatory views about gays
and lesbians that are "out of touch," with Texans' broad support
for LGBT equality. See Equality Texas Poll 2010 at www.equalitytexas.org
(poll showing majority support in Texas for various important LGBT civil
rights).

Mr. Ramos' views are also wholly outdated. As early as the 1970s, Cesar
Chavez, the Mexican-American civil rights icon, supported LGBT rights.
In his keynote speech at the 1987 National LGBT March on Washington, Mr.
Chavez stated: "Our movement has been supporting lesbian and gay
rights for over 20 years. We supported lesbian and gay rights when it
was just a crowd of ten people." See generally, "200,000 March
in Capitol to Seek Gay Rights and Money for AIDS," New York Times,
October 12, 1987.

We Stonewall Democrats-in San Antonio, Bexar County and Texas-will remain
firm and united in our similarly long history supporting equality and
justice for all-no matter their race, national origin, creed, gender,
sexual orientation or gender identity.